Method of balancing a foot within a shoe



Aug. 19, 1941. c. P. LEYDECKER -METHOD OF BALANING A FOOT WITHIN A SHOEI2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 5, 1958 Hrm/@msn Aug. l19, 1941.

C. P. LEYDECKER METHOD OF BALANCING A FOOT WITHIN A SHOE 2 Sheets-Sheet'2 Filed March 5, -1958 Mm Q Mi.

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HTTOIQNEK Patented Aug. 19, 1941 y UNITED STATES PATENT oEFjlcE-f I i iCharles P. Leydecker, St. Louis, Mo. Application March 5, 193s, serialNQ, 194,021A

- claims. gol. 12-142) The, present invention relates generally toshoes, and more particularly toa method for effecting foot balance.within a shoe, and meansforachieving such balance. u l l l The presentinvention is` predicated upon the theory that there is only onelongitudinal bone v arch in the foot construction when the heel bone oros calcis is raised above the plane of the forepart of the foot, themain columns or supports of which comprise the os calcis and the forwardportion of the first metatarsal. Many authorities aver that there arethree or four arches in the longitudinal dimentlon of thefoot; but astudy of the bones in the feet shows that the many bones which comprisea foot when in the just stated relationship make up one complete arch,some parts of which are concave and some parts of which are convex, butall of which contribute to the one single arch.

Modern shoe construction has resulted in the dropping of certain bonesof the foot, notably the cuboid and the fifth metatarsal, so that therear portion of the fifth metatarsal contacts the shoe in walking at apoint below a plane through the bottom of the os calcis and the forwardportion of the first metatarsal. This, however, is not a naturalposition. This lowering of the enumerated bones of the feet has beencaused by constructing shoes with heels, which, of course, raises theposition of the os calcis relative to the forward portion of the firstmetatarsal, In ladies shoes the base of the fifth metatarsal actuallyslides downwardly along the steep shank thereof at each step.

Many devices have been devised in an effort to compensate for theposition of the bones inthe foot in this man-made position relative tothe ground; and none of them` has been singularly successful. Many haveconcentrated on supporting the inner side of the foot at the center ofthe arch` by means which are generally designated arch supports.

However, few have lseriously considered the outer side of thelongitudinal arch which, in the final analysis, is the primary weightcarrier of the foot. Experiment has shown that the weight of the body inwalking is carried from the os calcis, or heel bone, las one mainsupport along a substantially curved line through the cuboid and thefifth metatarsal to the forward portion of the first metatarsal as thesecond main support. In other words, in Walking, the weight of the bodyis distributed along the outer edge of the foot in an arc of a circlefrom the heel bone to the forward portion of the first metatarsal.

The forward portions of the fifth, fourth,` third and second metatarsalsassist to only a minor degree `this weight transfer from the base of thefifth metatarsal tothe forward portion of "the first metatarsal whentheos calcis and the forward portion of the first metatarsal are on thesame plane, but when the former is raised relative to the latter by highheels their weight shifting function increases greatly. The foot has atendency to roll, which is a balanced movement when the heel is notmaintained raised relative to the metatarsals.

Before proceeding, it should be observed here that the lower portion orsupporting surface of the os calcis is not fiat, but is rounded and hasa tuberosity on the outer side. To prevent all wobbling of the foot inwalking, a support is necessary beneath the tuberosity where high heelshoes are worn, which changes the general relationship of the bones ofthe foot.

As the weight is shifted forwardly in walking, the base of the fifthmetatarsal, which is, in effect, a marked protuberance, assists in theforward shifting thereof by contact with the walking surface. However,when the heel bone is elevated, the base of the fifth metatarsal islikewise relatively elevated and, to contact the walking surface, mustdrop a greater degree, which results in straining the main longitudinalarch, inasf much as the bone structure must give to allow this unnaturalultimate position of the base of the fifth metatarsal, This droppingdownwardly of the rear portion of the fth metatarsal accentuates therolling weight distribution throughout the foot `and results in theoutward turning over of the shoe which is one of the greatest wearpoints in modern shoe construction. The majority of shoes, after beingworn a short while,

` show this overturning outwardly of the upper fili over the edge of thesole. The present invention contemplates correcting this distortedaction of vthe bone structure by providing a natural support for thefront and rear portions of the fifth metatarsal and the front portionsof the fourth, third, and second metatarsals which will alleviate strainin the foot and save this undue overturning of the shoes outwardly.

The above noted undue lowering of the outside bone structure of thefoot, resultant of raising the heel relative to the forward portion ofthe first metatarsal, strains the whole foot structure and causes tiringof an individual prematurely. Only when the foot is properly balanced isthe circulation of the blood normal and can the blood enter and leavethe pedal extremity without straining the heart. There are nervespassing through the feet which transmit the proper amount of nerveimpulses when the circulation is normal, and quite obviouslyimpoverished circulation will lead to subnormal nerve impulses andresultant impaired activity of the feet. Lengthy experiments have provedthat a foot housed in a shoe constructed in line with the presentinvention has normal blood circulation. Wearers of such shoes have beenable to with-f stand very substantially'greater strains` in usage of thefeet than when wearing shoes of conventional design and construction.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method ofbalancing a foot within a shoe to reduce bone and muscle strain and toprevent the outward overturning of the shoe upper over the edge of thesole.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig, 1 is a plan View of the sole assembly of a shoe showing oneexemplication of the present invention in position on the inner sole,the bones of a foot being shown in dotted lines;

' Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the shoe sole assemblage,exemplifrcation of the present invention, and foot bones shown in Fig.1;

' Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-.-,3 of Fig. 1;

` Fig; 4 is a section on the line 4.-4 of Fig.1;

Fig.,5 is;l a perspective view of one of the elements of the devicecomprising the subject matter of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second element of the devicecomprising the present invention;

Fig. 7. a side elevation similar to Fig. 2 showlnganotherlexemplification of the present invention, the heel of the soleassembly being of a greater height than the heel shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8--8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 isa perspective view of a third element of a device comprisingthe sub-ject matter of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of a fourth element of a device comprisingthe subject matter of the present invention; and,

Fig. 11 is a section on the line I I--II of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, thereis shown in Figs. 1,-4 one exempliflcation of the present invention inthe form of the insert I disposed in operative relation to a soleassemblage I6 of a shoe, bones I1 being shown by dotted lines in anormal relation thereto.

The sole assemblage I6 is part of a womans shoe and includes an outersole I8, an inner solef I9, and a relatively low heel 2D.

s efore passing to a more detailed consideration of the insert i 5formingthe subject matter of the present invention, it is well to pointout the several more important of the foot bones I1 shown in dottedlines. The foot bones I1 include an os calcis 22 having a -tuberosity23, an astrag-alus 2,4, a cuboid 25, and the first, second, third,fourth, and fifth metatarsals 26, 21, 28, 29, and 30, respectively,which include front portions 3|, 32, 33, 34, and .35, respectively, andrear portions or bases 36, 31, 38, 39, and 40, respectively (Figs. 1 and`2).

The insert I5 includes an upper element 43 and a lower element 44 (Figs.5 and 6, respectively). The element 43 is of a general configurationshown in Fig. 5, and is of substantially the length of the inner soleI9, as can be appre- Qafd from @n nspton Q Fg- 1- It ha@v an outer edge45, which follows the contour of the outer edge of the inner sole I9,and an inner edge 46. The element 43 is beveled at 41 adjacent the edge46 and includes a reduced hooked portion 48 which is adapted to extendaround the base of the os calcis 22 and to receive thereon or wedgedthereagainst the tuberosity 23 thereof. The element 43 is ofsubstantially uniform thickness, being biplanar when in flat form.

The element 44 is of the general configuration shown in Fig. 6 andincludesan outer edge 56, which follows the contour of the inner soleI9, and an inner edge 5I. The element 44 is beveled forwardly at 5,2 andat 53 adjacent the edge 5I. As can be appreciated from Figs. 3 and 4,the element 44 slopes slightly from the outer edge 5I! towards the bevel53 for a purpose to be described. A reduced rear extremity 54 is beveledat 55. In Fig. 1, the element 44 is shown in dotted lines beneath theelement 43.

Referring to Figs. 'l and 8, .there is shown a modified insert or device66 which is adapted to be used with a sole assemblage .6l having ahigher heel than the sole assemblage I6. The sole assemblage 6I includesan outer sole 62, an inner sole 63, and a heel 64.` Thefoot bones I1 areshown in the same relation Aas they are shown in Figs. 1-4, with theexception that the os calcis is on a higher levelrelative to the forwardportion of the first metatarsal ln Figs. 7 and 8 Ythan in Figs.14. o

The insert 60 differs from the insert I5 bythe inclusion of additionalelements .65 and66, velements 61 and 6B being identical with theelements 44 and 43, respectively.

The element 65 is of the configuration shown in Fig. 16 and is .ofbiplanar construction. It is beveled forwardlyvat 69, rearwardly at10,'and along the inner side at 1I.

The element 66 is of the configuration shown in Fig. 9 and is beveledalong the front, the inner side, and the rear at 12, 13, and 14,respectively. The relationship of the elements 65, 66, 61, and 68 intheir formation of the insert 66 is clearly lshown in Fig. 7.

In use, the device forming the subject matter of the present invention,be it the insert I5 or 60, is placed in-a shoe on the inner soleandbelow the sock lining along the outer side thereof.

This can be readily seen .byy an inspection of Fig.

1. When the shoe has a relatively low heel, as the heel 20, the insertI5 is employed.

When in the shoe, the hooked portion 48 extends partially around the oscalcis22 and receives either in wedging relation thereagainst ordirectly thereupon thetuberosity 23 of the os calcis 22. Thelfthmetatarsal 30 is raised both at the base 46 and at the forwardportion 35 (Fig. 2). Further, the forwardv portions 34, 33, and 32 ofthe fourth,lthird, and second metatarsalsl are raised to the degreeshown in Fig. V3. The metatarsals arethus elevated relative to the innersole I9 so that, in walking, theweight is easily and evenly shifted fromthe os calcis through the base 40 of the fifth metatarsal `3l) to theforward portion 3| of the first metatarsal 26, the forward portions 35,34, 33, and 32 of the fth, fourth, third, and second metatarsalsassisting in the transfer of the weight from the` base 40 of the fifthmetatarsal 30 to the forward portion 3| of the first metatarsal 26.

Referring to Figs. '7 and 8, theinsert is disposed on the inner sole 63in the same relative position as the insert I5 is on the inner sole I9.rlhe insert 60, however, includes the additional elements 65 and 66 inorder to build up the shoe to raise the forward portions 35, 34,133, and32 of the fifth, fourth, third, and second metatarsals e proportionateamount in order to compensate for the additional height of the heel 64.This must -be done because the base of the os calcis is on a higherlevel relative to the forward portion 3l of the first metatarsal 26 whenit rests on the heel 64 than when it rests on the heel 20.

It is thus apparent that there has been worked out a device for securingproper foot balance which is of a greater thickness in that area aroundthe forward portions of the fifth, fourth, third, and second metatarsalswhen applied to a shoe having a relatively high heel than when appliedto a shoe having a relatively low heel. In other words, a ratio ofthickness has been established for what may be termed the critical area.The invention, therefore, contemplates the varying of the thickness ofthe device in this critical area so that the forward portions of thefifth, fourth, third, `and second metatarsals properly assist in easingthe weight forwardly from the base of the fifth metatarsal to theforward portion of the first metatarsal when walking.

It is to be understood that the present foot balancing device can beconstructed of one piece cut to a proper configuration. It has beenfound,

however, that the use of several elements facilitates the securing ofthe proper relative thickness for the critical area. The inventioncontemplates the use of any suitable material, such as leather, and thelike.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and accompanyingdrawings have been given by way of illustration and example and not forpurposes of limitation, the invention being limited only by the claimswhich follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of properly locating a foot within a conventional shoecomprising wedging the tuberosity of the os calcis to prevent wobblingat the heel, elevating the base of the fifth metatarsal relative to thesurface of the inner sole of the shoe, and elevating the forwardportions of the fifth, fourth, third, and second metatarsalspredetermined amounts relative to the surface of the inner sole of theshoe.

2. A method of properly locating a foot within a conventional shoecomprising elevating the base of the fifth metatarsal relative to thesurface of the inner sole, and elevating the forward portion of thefifth metatarsal a greater distance above the surface of the innersole-than the base thereof is elevated.

3. A method of properly locating a foot within a conventional shoecomprising elevating the base of the fifth metatarsal relative to thesurface of the inner sole, elevating the forward portion of the fifthmetatarsal a greater distance above the surface of the inner sole thanthe base thereof is elevated, and elevating the forward portions of thefourth, third and second metatarsals in proportionate degree to theVelevation of the fifth metatarsal to ease the weight shifting from thebase of the fifth metatarsal to the forward portion of the firstmetatarsal.

4. A method of properly locating a foot within a conventional shoecomprising elevating the base of the fifth metatarsal relative to thesurface of the inner sole, elevating the forward portion of the fifthmetatarsal a greater distance above the surface of the inner sole thanthe base thereof is elevated, elevating the forward portions of thefourth, third and second metatarsals in proportionate degree to theelevation of the fifth metatarsal to ease the weight shifting from thebase of the fifth metatarsal to the forward portion of the firstmetatarsal, and wedging the tuberosity of the os calcis to preventwobbling and to assist forward transfer of weight.

5. A method of properly locating a foot within a conventional shoecomprising .elevating the base of the fifth metatarsal relative to thesurface of the inner sole, elevating the forward portion of the fifthmetatarsal relative to the surface of the inner sole, and elevating theforward portions of the fourth, third and second metatarsals inproportionate degree to the elevation of the fifth metatarsal to easethe Weight shifting from the base of the fifth metatarsal to the forwardportion of the first metatarsal.

CHARLES P. LEYDECKER.

